The Top Culinary Hotspots In Ottawa

Food critics unanimously agree that Ottawa’s culinary scene is experiencing a renaissance period, as new and quality restaurants have taken the capital by storm. Today we’re going to discuss the top food hotspots in Ottawa!

Fairouz

Take a quick stroll around Ottawa, and you’ll undoubtedly spot one of the many shawarma shops. The public has undoubtedly fallen in love with these cheap garlicky sandwiches, but whatever happened to high-quality Middle Eastern cuisine?

This leads us to Fairouz, a needle in the haystack in Ottawa’s restaurant scene. Located in an old mansion in Somerset Village, chef Walid El-Tawel has put a contemporary spin on traditional Middle Eastern dishes. The menu changes often and they only use locally sourced ingredients, but we highly recommend ordering multiple mezzas – also known as small appetizers.

The fresh hummus dip with pita is savoury yet straightforward, and the Monforte grilled halloumi cheese provides an injection of flavour and texture. The next time you visit this establishment, you may even run into a celebrity or politician – which is a sure-fire sign that Fairouz is an Ottawa hotspot.

Atari

Another attraction on the list is Atari – a resto-bar named after the 90s video game. What’s so special about this place? The trendy interior and ambitious menu consistently attract crowds of young people, especially on ladies night every Tuesday where all women eat for free!

Everything on the menu is delicious, but we have to highlight the Atari Burger. This dish is topped with double-smoked bacon, old cheddar cheese, and served on a toasted brioche bun. For dessert, there’s no other option than the cereal milk bread pudding. It’s essentially flambéed vanilla ice cream mixed with your favourite sugary cereals to create an iconic and divine confection.

Moscow Tea Room

You’ll often see Ottawa’s powerful and elite exiting the Moscow Tea Room located in the ByWard Market on Sussex Drive. This lounge is filled to the brim with evocative art, and the drink and food menu is pricey but well worth it.

If you’re passing through Ottawa on the weekends, it’s always best to book a table in advance because this place fills up fast. You have to order the chicken Kiev – a stuffed chicken breast filled with delicious herbs and garlic butter. We kid you not; the chicken will melt in your mouth.

Restaurant 18

As one of Ottawa’s famous eateries, we had to include Restaurant 18 on our list of hotspots. Serving a mix of steak and seafood, this prestigious institution always attracts high-paying customers including diplomats and foreign heads of state. If it’s your fist visit, order the ling cod, which is cooked perfectly with saffron, clams, and nduja – a spicy, spreadable form of sausage.

The primary draw of this restaurant is that it combines traditional French cuisine using only Canadian ingredients. It’s also located in a 19th-century building, meaning the ambiance coupled with the cuisine leads to an exceptional dining experience.

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